The Battle over America's Origin Story

Exploring the legends surrounding the discovery of America, this book delves into how social, political, and cultural motivations shaped historical narratives rather than empirical evidence. It highlights the peculiar lives of amateur investigators who championed various theories about pre-Columbian explorers, including Welsh princes and Vikings. These myths reveal deeper societal sentiments, reflecting Nativist attitudes and skepticism toward academic scholarship, and they served as coping mechanisms for those who believed in them amidst changing American contexts.